Colorado is one step closer to civil unions

After more than four hours of testimony, the bill passed 3-2 along partisan lines. If it passes through the appropriations committee, the Senate and the House, and is signed into law by Hickenlooper by March —all of which are expected — the bill will go into effect May 1.

Fran and Anna Simon, a gay couple who brought their 5-year-old son to the hearing today, said they hoped to be the first to take advantage of the new law.

Opponents to the bill will stage a protest rally on the steps of the state capitol building on Friday. One person who spoke in opposition of the bill threatened to mount a recall campaign against those who voted in its favor.

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